Month: March 2013

Ethanol Excellence

Check out this video and learn how the ethanol industry is becoming more efficient in the production of ethanol. It appears that ethanol production is growing in 2013, despite some news reports. I can only base my information on the number of ethanol samples we are receiving at Midwest Laboratories. Hopefully, the trend

Free Soil Testing Offers

It’s Spring, that time of year where people start looking at their lawn or garden and start the planning process. Across the internet there are a flood of offers and invitations for free soil testing. Lets take a closer look at these promotions. Watch this video. There is a little more to it than putting

Chromium in Tainted Soil

I came across this article, “Have to Give Toenails for Toxin Testing” and had to read on. In Garfield, New Jersery, it seems that hexavalent chromium a carcinogen has infiltrated the neighborhoods of this suburban town. The EPA is prepared to start drilling in this area to determine how much chromium is hidden beneath the

Spring Lawn Tips

Check out these spring lawn tips in this Fox 4 News Special, “Spring Lawn care tips” Cleanup – Look for dead spots and matted spots and take steps to rake and restore the soil with proper nutrients. A soil test is also a good idea to help address these type of issues. Fertilize – Get

Soil Sampling Supplies and Resources

The past few weeks there has been a flurry of activity regarding soil sampling equipment: soil probes, moisture meters, pH meters, soil bags and boxes. I have also read several articles about places offering free soil pH tests. It is getting closer to spring time and it is an excellent time to know where soil

Fertilizer, Manure, Compost Testing

Check out analysis in the area of compost, fertilizer and organic soil. New information and analysis is being developed each year and Matt and his staff continue to look at innovative ways to analyze these types of samples. In the area of compost testing, Midwest Laboratories is a recognized leader in this industry and offers

Snow and Soil Temperatures in March

How did you deal with the snow this weekend? It was more of a nuisance. The good news is that temperatures by the end of the week are supposed to be in the upper 50’s. Current soil temperatures are right at 32 degrees, which could mean that a lot of this precipitation could become part

Triumph of Ag | March 6-7

Check it out! 2013 Triumph of Ag Expo March 6-7, 2013 Omaha, NE Centurylink Center Lots of exhibitors and information-packed sessions during the Trade show. I really enjoy this show because it brings out farmers and ag businesses just before planting season. If you want to see the latest in ag technology, you need to

Organic Produce Production

Check out this post about a person who was organic before organic was cool. Two key points made in the video: California Consumer Supported Agriculture – A family invests in the farm and receives a box of produce a week. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, organic food consumption is the fastest growing sector

Farm Voices – The Video

Have you seen this video? (It was released February 27, 2013) #FARMVOICES – It’s Our Turn It’s a video for everyone! Watch it now, before reading any further. There are so many misconceptions regarding farming.A number of people have no idea that farmers feed our world. Farming is not an 8 to 5 job. Farming